8 PREFACE 



treatment of the experimental material relating to metals is unnecessary, 

 since much of this has already been collected in various handbooks. 



Naturally, the major portion of this volume is devoted to a con- 

 sideration of the properties of electrolytic solutions. The attempt has 

 been made to present the subject broadly in order to bring out those 

 elements of the phenomena which are common to solutions in all solvents. 

 Solutions in non-aqueous solvents are treated somewhat more extensively 

 than aqueous solutions, sinc'e the data relating to these solutions have 

 not been collected heretofore. 



The subject is presented from an empirical standpoint, since an ade- 

 quate theory of electrolytic solutions does not exist. Such theories as 

 have been advanced in recent years give evidence of having been adapted 

 to fit particular cases. In the end, the theory of electrolytic solutions 

 will probably be a composite of various theories which now appear more 

 or less applicable. Such a theory will doubtless embody some of the 

 more fundamental elements of the older ionic theory. 



A complete bibliography has not been attempted. References given 

 as footnotes will serve as a key to the literature. 



In conclusion, I wish to express my indebtedness to my colleague, 

 Professor B. S. Merigold, for reading the manuscript and to Mr. Gordon 

 W. Browne for his assistance in preparing the figures. 



C. A. K. 



Clark University, 

 January 5, 1922. 



